I was in Delhi airport (when it was not DIAL), old arport old amenities and in the month of May last week, tired due to the hectic travel entire day, the Sun God was at His full bloom, it was hotter than the HOT bipasha basu.
Taking a late evening flight always helps you to come back to your family and spend time with them. My flight was at 8 pm to Hyderabad. Due to God known reasons there was heavy traffic (yes air traffic too, you thought the road traffic, common its delhi baba)
Large cues were formed for the security check in and people were waiting in front of the their respective gates (only one gate was given the burden to take care of 3 flights in an interval of 10 minutes)
My flight departure was announced and we were supposed to form a line/ a cue. Due to less availability of space the cue formed was not a geometrically straight line but like a Jalebi( a circular round round round stop sweets in India)
Due to better purchasing power (they say India Shining)or the lower tariff of the mobile phone (Thanks to tele kranti) or a mix of both, no one in airport was having a mobile and not talking. The more you talk the more you require assistance for battery charging station. Luckily in mid of our serpentine cue, there was one but full with all kinds of mobile phones. There was this Kind lady in her 50”s using phone.
The empty sockets were taken over by the fresh cellphones as the person moved ahead.
Our this kind lady in mid fifty’s also kept it for recharged and she was 20 people ahead, now why I was looking at her or any reasons of the attention….
She looked like Waheeda Rehman(I am a good fan of her till now), same gracious smile, nice silk saree neatly tied.
Slowly after 20 odd minutes the cue moved ahead and I got an opportunity to recharge my handset, but Alas! I carry a blackberry and none of the socket fit in. But what I saw was a sony ericsson mobile with no takers? I thought I have seen this mobile handset (My father carries a similar model), Bingo! It’s the same which the Aunty was carrying….But where is Aunty? She already left to catch a flight. I said leave it mujhe kya?
I boarded the flight and I got the first seat (again aisle), and just before the flight was about to take off, the same aunty came and requested the air hostess about her cellphone(she at last remembered), the air hostess was kind enough to talk to her Ground staff and in next 15 minutes(the flight got delayed by 15 minutes)and it was here.
I felt so very much ashamed, that I could have helped this kind lady.
But this is how I behaved.
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
Mariyam travels to Dubai-It requires courage
The Air India flight from Hyderabad goes to Dubai via Ahmedabad.
I was escorted by the kind air hostess to my seat 12C(again an aisle no pun intended).
The flight was full upto the brim, it seemed the airline gave free tickets to everyone. Passengers were coming in like red ants in line BUT in large number.
I felt comfortable in my seat and started searching for the earheads (since this flight had a nice small TV). While doing so, messaged my Wife about the boarding information(you ought to be dutiful…) most of people were taking the benefits of talking to their friends/relatives regarding the boarding except some of the business wallahs taking about the rates and found this as an opportunity to close the deal.
Mariyam bol rahe hain, a soft voice came from behind, saw a cute(see I could see her eyes and were cute and one can imagine the rest)girl of around 25-27 years of age(was in a veil, top to bottom) but how come I be so sure about the age, see dekh kar idea to lag hi jata hai(chahe burqa pehna ho ya nahi).
Amma ko phone dena, haan amma hum baith gaye hain.. dekhiye awaz aa rahee hai na pilot ke message ki…haan amma fikra nako karo aap, pahunch kar bata denge aapko….
Since voice was coming from behind, I could not resist myself listening to the conversation.Poor human instincts you see.(apne se zyada doosre ki duniya mein kya ho raha hai wo dekhna chahhta hai)
Ladies and Gentlemen, please switch off all your electronic devices as these may create problems in navigation- come the HEAD MISTRESS type voice- was the announcement cum order.
I was surprised that Mariyam overheard the announcement and the conversation goes like this.
Amma, suniye ab awaaz aayee jahaaz ke chalu hone ki?...pause….. Hai na achhi… pause… ab dekhiye ud raha hai… take off hone ki taiyaree hai… pause… dekhiye ye uda… uda uda…My GOD I said myself…what the ****, this girl kept talking till the network went automatically off(within milliseconds of the plane started on runway), I could see the unhappiness on her face(eyes) for not been able to connect to her relatives back on ground.
But I cursed myself, why people like me become ignorant of the fact that this type of carelessness could cause a major problem sometimes. The ideal way was if I saw no airhostess bothered to come(more busy pampering the Business class passengers) and check the same, I should have raised the alarm and made them notice the same else, should have asked the cute looking Mariyam to switch off her mobile devices. But it requires courage to stand up and ask.
I was escorted by the kind air hostess to my seat 12C(again an aisle no pun intended).
The flight was full upto the brim, it seemed the airline gave free tickets to everyone. Passengers were coming in like red ants in line BUT in large number.
I felt comfortable in my seat and started searching for the earheads (since this flight had a nice small TV). While doing so, messaged my Wife about the boarding information(you ought to be dutiful…) most of people were taking the benefits of talking to their friends/relatives regarding the boarding except some of the business wallahs taking about the rates and found this as an opportunity to close the deal.
Mariyam bol rahe hain, a soft voice came from behind, saw a cute(see I could see her eyes and were cute and one can imagine the rest)girl of around 25-27 years of age(was in a veil, top to bottom) but how come I be so sure about the age, see dekh kar idea to lag hi jata hai(chahe burqa pehna ho ya nahi).
Amma ko phone dena, haan amma hum baith gaye hain.. dekhiye awaz aa rahee hai na pilot ke message ki…haan amma fikra nako karo aap, pahunch kar bata denge aapko….
Since voice was coming from behind, I could not resist myself listening to the conversation.Poor human instincts you see.(apne se zyada doosre ki duniya mein kya ho raha hai wo dekhna chahhta hai)
Ladies and Gentlemen, please switch off all your electronic devices as these may create problems in navigation- come the HEAD MISTRESS type voice- was the announcement cum order.
I was surprised that Mariyam overheard the announcement and the conversation goes like this.
Amma, suniye ab awaaz aayee jahaaz ke chalu hone ki?...pause….. Hai na achhi… pause… ab dekhiye ud raha hai… take off hone ki taiyaree hai… pause… dekhiye ye uda… uda uda…My GOD I said myself…what the ****, this girl kept talking till the network went automatically off(within milliseconds of the plane started on runway), I could see the unhappiness on her face(eyes) for not been able to connect to her relatives back on ground.
But I cursed myself, why people like me become ignorant of the fact that this type of carelessness could cause a major problem sometimes. The ideal way was if I saw no airhostess bothered to come(more busy pampering the Business class passengers) and check the same, I should have raised the alarm and made them notice the same else, should have asked the cute looking Mariyam to switch off her mobile devices. But it requires courage to stand up and ask.
Uljha hua earhead
Now a days the airline travel makes you richer with earheads. These earheads are of different companies and different style. I have a good collection, like the ones from kingfisher airlines the red ones(the big large ones which cover your entire ear) to the smaller black dots(majorly given by Indian airlines and Jet airways).
I am using my laptop bag as a dumping ground for all these earheads collected in every month air travel. Initially started distributing them as gifts to all my relatives/kids, but when the supply overflowed, monthly dumping them in my store room back in Hyderabad became a routine(monthly, just like groceries)
Today I was travelling from Bhopal to Hyderabad in Jet airways, I thought of listening some old music while on travel(thanks to Kingfisher airlines, I am addicted now to watch a television/movie or read some of my collections stored in my 500GB hardisk in every flight) So, if I am travelling in flights where there is no TV, my official laptop becomes my TV.
I opened my laptop bag and found that there were 5 sets of earheads badly tangled in a web of wires. My urge to open the laptop and start listening to music was making me impatient to resolve the web.
I said myself to remain little relaxed(no art of living course taught me this) and then try.
After a slow and calmer self I started again and it took 16 minutes to solve and I had fresh 5 sets of earheads neatly kept on the seat.
I solved it the one which looked a behemonian task 16 minutes before.
Lesson learnt- life’s problem is that we are impatient, and solution is to be slow and calm.
I am using my laptop bag as a dumping ground for all these earheads collected in every month air travel. Initially started distributing them as gifts to all my relatives/kids, but when the supply overflowed, monthly dumping them in my store room back in Hyderabad became a routine(monthly, just like groceries)
Today I was travelling from Bhopal to Hyderabad in Jet airways, I thought of listening some old music while on travel(thanks to Kingfisher airlines, I am addicted now to watch a television/movie or read some of my collections stored in my 500GB hardisk in every flight) So, if I am travelling in flights where there is no TV, my official laptop becomes my TV.
I opened my laptop bag and found that there were 5 sets of earheads badly tangled in a web of wires. My urge to open the laptop and start listening to music was making me impatient to resolve the web.
I said myself to remain little relaxed(no art of living course taught me this) and then try.
After a slow and calmer self I started again and it took 16 minutes to solve and I had fresh 5 sets of earheads neatly kept on the seat.
I solved it the one which looked a behemonian task 16 minutes before.
Lesson learnt- life’s problem is that we are impatient, and solution is to be slow and calm.
Can I open my seat belt please? Is it safe?
Azhar, his wife Farheen and daughter Niyamat, on Flight Number XX 111, from Delhi to Hyderabad.
He is happy that he got an opportunity to travel by AIR, Thanks to the low cost airlines.
He is taking Niyamat to Hyderabad to admit her in prestigious IIIT.
The flight starts at 7 pm and he is seated next to me, I always prefer an aisle seat (not to take the benefit of touch seriously) because it is easier to sit and quit.
The moment this family located their seats, a small fight starts between the two fairer sexes(mom and daughter) and the point of contention was the poor window seat, both wanted to see how delhi looks like from top, Azhar keeping himself out of the verbal hungama and pretended like he is unrelated to the ladies in discussion.
Finally, Guess what! The mother won without a democratic support(autocratic it seemed). But Women…what she will do looking delhi from top and keeping it with herself…white flag!!!! and started cosing her daughter and few minutes later they both started staring at starry night of delhi from top and giggles aloud followed.
What do you do and where are you going Mr? Azhar asked me while I was reading Connect the Dots(Rashmi Bansal), I responded, naukar hain ek company mein, and I recalled a bollywood flick where actor respond a funny answer like this flight goes to hyd and fortunately I don’t have any option but to land there. But I felt inappropriate to answer like way.
I am going to help my kid admitted in IIIT, you know its very good college. I calmly said yes, started thinking that times surely have changed, people(muslims) have started sending their alone daughter to as far as Hyderabad for studies.(frankly this was not the case in early 90”s)
Look Hyderabad is arriving screamed Niyamat and Azhar and Farheen all crouched their thin neck on the single window and immediately the flight took a little left tilt and then I could sense a feel of scare on the faces.
Ferman(by now names were exchanged), said Azhar, can I open my belt now, is it safe now? and go to the washroom. My God! This person has not opened his seatbelt for last 100minutes.
But could sense how low cost airlines have changed the way common man travels.
He is happy that he got an opportunity to travel by AIR, Thanks to the low cost airlines.
He is taking Niyamat to Hyderabad to admit her in prestigious IIIT.
The flight starts at 7 pm and he is seated next to me, I always prefer an aisle seat (not to take the benefit of touch seriously) because it is easier to sit and quit.
The moment this family located their seats, a small fight starts between the two fairer sexes(mom and daughter) and the point of contention was the poor window seat, both wanted to see how delhi looks like from top, Azhar keeping himself out of the verbal hungama and pretended like he is unrelated to the ladies in discussion.
Finally, Guess what! The mother won without a democratic support(autocratic it seemed). But Women…what she will do looking delhi from top and keeping it with herself…white flag!!!! and started cosing her daughter and few minutes later they both started staring at starry night of delhi from top and giggles aloud followed.
What do you do and where are you going Mr? Azhar asked me while I was reading Connect the Dots(Rashmi Bansal), I responded, naukar hain ek company mein, and I recalled a bollywood flick where actor respond a funny answer like this flight goes to hyd and fortunately I don’t have any option but to land there. But I felt inappropriate to answer like way.
I am going to help my kid admitted in IIIT, you know its very good college. I calmly said yes, started thinking that times surely have changed, people(muslims) have started sending their alone daughter to as far as Hyderabad for studies.(frankly this was not the case in early 90”s)
Look Hyderabad is arriving screamed Niyamat and Azhar and Farheen all crouched their thin neck on the single window and immediately the flight took a little left tilt and then I could sense a feel of scare on the faces.
Ferman(by now names were exchanged), said Azhar, can I open my belt now, is it safe now? and go to the washroom. My God! This person has not opened his seatbelt for last 100minutes.
But could sense how low cost airlines have changed the way common man travels.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
My Vote
I voted for the first time in my life that day. My vote was counted to elect in our corporate municipal elections.
Luckily I was in my hometown and with family went to vote. It took me 7 hours to decide whether should I go for showing my electoral preference or no?The reasons are quite obvious... the candidates are not cool enough to attract a tough customer like me ....yeah it is true... for a candidate to be cool... he needs a good manifesto and a crystal clear image.
I and my better half were the 3rd last for the election day.... wow... what a nice experience... I am aware if I do not want to vote I can still go and write the same(I got this blessed knowledge while going through some forwarded emails) see fwd messages are also sometimes beneficial...
Luckily I was in my hometown and with family went to vote. It took me 7 hours to decide whether should I go for showing my electoral preference or no?The reasons are quite obvious... the candidates are not cool enough to attract a tough customer like me ....yeah it is true... for a candidate to be cool... he needs a good manifesto and a crystal clear image.
I and my better half were the 3rd last for the election day.... wow... what a nice experience... I am aware if I do not want to vote I can still go and write the same(I got this blessed knowledge while going through some forwarded emails) see fwd messages are also sometimes beneficial...
Wednesday, February 10, 2010
Remembering Dadajaan
Remembering Dadajaan,
Abbu(My Father) came from his Mumbai official trip on Saturday evening. Monu a class 7 student was just waiting to get his precious gift, a digital watch. Wow......., but the second moment sadness enveloped him when he saw the brand, it was a casio. Abbu as a habit enquired about the likeability of the gift …Monu was sad. Uttered sadly, Praveen(Monu’s classmate) had a better watch than this and dear Abbu I don’t want this one.
MONU….GHALAT BAAT BETA…..came the strong voice of My Dadajaan, Why dadajaan ???enquired with his binquizzitive bold eyes? Why is this ghalat?
One should not compare these worldly things with others… be happy and contented with what you have and appreciate the Almighty for providing you this.
Today after 10 Hours of my Dadaji’s sad demise, I am missing him too much. His quality of behaviour might be due to his white experienced 95 years old hairs but his gifted voice, his simplicity touched my young tendor heart more than anything else.
Unfortunately, I am unable to make it to his last rituals but I pay my regards by just saying that I can not forget you Dadajaan.
May Almighty place his soul in Heaven, Amen!
Abbu(My Father) came from his Mumbai official trip on Saturday evening. Monu a class 7 student was just waiting to get his precious gift, a digital watch. Wow......., but the second moment sadness enveloped him when he saw the brand, it was a casio. Abbu as a habit enquired about the likeability of the gift …Monu was sad. Uttered sadly, Praveen(Monu’s classmate) had a better watch than this and dear Abbu I don’t want this one.
MONU….GHALAT BAAT BETA…..came the strong voice of My Dadajaan, Why dadajaan ???enquired with his binquizzitive bold eyes? Why is this ghalat?
One should not compare these worldly things with others… be happy and contented with what you have and appreciate the Almighty for providing you this.
Today after 10 Hours of my Dadaji’s sad demise, I am missing him too much. His quality of behaviour might be due to his white experienced 95 years old hairs but his gifted voice, his simplicity touched my young tendor heart more than anything else.
Unfortunately, I am unable to make it to his last rituals but I pay my regards by just saying that I can not forget you Dadajaan.
May Almighty place his soul in Heaven, Amen!
Monday, January 4, 2010
City of Joy
My tryst with 2010 in Kolkata...
Kolkata....as described byDominique Lapierre in his book City of Joy.. sleepy metropolitan with its everytime fresh enthusiastic countrymen...
The slow change in Tram(times they say are changing... yes new wagons are visible on the streets).. but the air has that same sweetness which I first sensed when I visited this city 10years ago...
The hustle bustle of the city buses(they are too changing)...the gup shup at tea shop... the hand pull rickshaw still exists... Autorickshaw with CNG was a news to me...(the city has atlast some thoughts for the climate change)
The migrant youths bathing on the footpath with the same overflowing water 10years back...The kids were already covered till toe with wollens in a temperature of 12 C...
Pretty bongs as usual voluptous... Aunties busy in eating and shopping whereas uncles busy in as usual checking thier vocal chords.. shouting at the loudest at everyone on that part of Earth...
Overall 5 long days and chill nights were wonderful and memorable...
The best part was the same unchanged culture of Bengal.... the mixu culture.... be it diwali... be it Xmas... be it Eid.... everyone would smile at everyone and continue eating at their gol gappes....
Protection
We the human love protection...the best example is the boundary walls of our respective homes....second form of protection is the protection against any evil....we put small black teeka on the cheek of our kids....third form--protection of our lives... a small sneeze and we rush to the nearby medical centre...
fourth form of protection- safety against any malice... diseases...
we are so over enthusiastic about protection ... we try to protect our pet animals from cold...(see pic) but we forget that Mother Nature has provided every living being(infact every being) a cushion against any odd......and we think that with the help of artificial articles we can reverse the same....
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